The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1887-05-26

some conjunction about tlece wing her
uncle, who, with the exception of the
unaccountable obstinacy he had shown
toward her lover, had always been
ready to humor her. Jack, however,
drew such a glowing picture of the
happiness in store for them and de-
clared with so much confidence Major
Henderson's anger would not last more
than three weeks, when once the ire
vocable step was taken. that Maude
was much comfofted.
When they returned Major Hender-
son pressed Mr.. Browne to spend the
evening at Honeysuckle Cottage. Tea
being over. the major asked Maude if
she would mind packing his portman-
teau for him.
81 have laid out the things l wish to
take, my dear. You will fit them in
more neatly than | could"
Maude was delighted to have an OPP
portunity of doing at last a little kindly
act.
Directly she had left the room, the
Major began fiLgeting about, and at
length got up and paced the room.
Suddenly turning to Mr.. Browne. he
said: comparative stranger are you to
me, l feel as if l must tell you the ma
ture of the business which is calling
me to London so suddenly that to
speak of it would be an immense re-
lief"
The stranger was all sympathetic at
tention in 4 moment.
..Mr. Browne" continued the major
excitedly. ''this time yesterday L be-
lieyed that poor girl upstairs to be the
mistress of a fairly large fortune. To-
day-if the information l received this
morning Is correct know her 10 be
penniless. And that is not all; the
greater part, if not the whole, of my
income is lost ALSO
So sympathetic was Mr.. Browne that
he begged to know all the details.
These, however. the major vas unable
to furnish; in fact. he could explain
nothing satisfactorily, so great was the
state of excitement into which he had
worked himself.
'.Hush!" he said, as he heard Maude
approaching, 'Not a word to her. l
wouldn't disturb her peace of mind for
WOIluS, pooI SlII, uHtll L dill CeItdiu
how the matter stands"
The next day, about an hour after
her uncle had left for London, Maude
received the following penciled note
from Mr.. BROWNIE
'.MY OWN DARLING: l am the most
unlucky dog that ever lived! l passed
a wretched night, and tn s morning /
am too ill to leave my bed. TO be dis
abled to-day when [ was to have az
mt the happiest man in England! L
have sent for the village ~''bones," and
if he a but patch me up it NAV not
yet be too late. Send a book back BY
bearer, to account for having received
a letter from your nearly frantic
: JACK.s
Poor Maude! The %torturing suspense
Of that day! In the evening she ven
tured to ask the landlady to inquire
how MI. Browne was. mo BETTER"
was the alarming reply.
Maude passed a sleepless night. In
The morning she received a second note
from her dear Jack, eve more despair
ing in its tone than the former n
'.Fate is against u.s." he wrote. II
feel as if 1 shall never be able to call
you mine"
In the middle of the day she again
sent to inquire for her lover, and was
overioyed when she heard he was much
better and was even thinking of getting
up, his recovery bidding fair to be as
sudden as his seizure.
That evening Major Henderson re-
turned. Hardly had he knocked at the
door when MIR. Browne emerged from
the opposite cottage.
pathetic Mr.. Browne.
The worst possible" replied the
major, throwing himself into an easy
chair and covering his face with his
hands. THAT poor girl yonder is 4
beggar, and [ have but q hundred a
year left"
Maude looked from one to the other
in utter bewilderment, and then cross
ed over to her uncle. trying to COM
fort him and gain some explanation at
the same time.
81 feel that this is no scene for a
stranger to Witness" sad Mr.. Browne.
OH, SOu nave My cepSS oS LupdIuy,
aud I am sure that at the present
moment l can show it in nc better way
than by w,thdraw,ng."
Msude followed her lover to the door,
She was much distressed on her uncle's
account, but did lot fully realize her
own loss of fortune.
"Are you really better, dear Jack?
she asked, anXiOuSly.
Eyes, thank you. Quite cured, Good
bye," and he was gone.
That her lovers l~eave-taking was 4
little abrupt did strike Maude; she was,
however, far too confused by the turn
affairs had taken to attach much impor-
lance to the first circumstance. When
she turned to her uncle he seemed
wonderfully be-, ter, and at supper he
talked quite cheerfully of their future.
Maude passed another sleepless night.
She did not so much mind the terrible
loss she had sustained on her own ac-
count, but she WAS bitterly dIsappoint-
ed that she could not do all that she
had promised for her dear Jack. She
determined, however, to be the most
loving and economical wife possible.
At all events, her uncle would not be